Eucharist

Sacramental Life

The celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives as Catholic Christians. Preparation for receiving the sacred Body and Blood of Christ begins at birth as parents teach their children the importance of our Sunday celebration. Coming to the Eucharist (Mass) every week is central to our faith-life and provides the nourishment needed to live our daily lives.

There are many opportunities at St. Michael to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Sunday Mass: 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 AM, Noon, and 5:30PM in English and 1:30PM in Spanish.

To accommodate all who wish to attend, additional Masses are scheduled for Easter and Christmas.

First Eucharist (First Holy Communion) for Children in 2nd Grade

When a child reaches the age when she/he understands the meaning of the Eucharist, and asks to come to the Table of the Lord, the Baptized child is welcomed to our family table. The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist nourishes the child who began his initiation into the Catholic Church at Baptism. The initiation process is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit through the conferring of Confirmation, the third sacrament of initiation.

Children prepare to receive the sacrament of Holy Eucharist for two years in first and second grades through their St. Michael School Religion Class or Parish Religious Education Class. As we know, parents are the first and primary educators of their child in matters of faith. Jesus ate with his friends and with strangers. Our meals at home show our children the importance, not only of eating for nourishment, but eating for community building, celebration, and getting to know one another face to face in person. Hence, parent participation and involvement in sacrament preparation is essential for your child to understand this sacrament.

There is a team, led by Jesus, who works together with our children. It is comprised of their parents St. Michael School Teachers, Religious Education Catechists and Parish Staff.

Parents attend a “parents only” meeting in October.

Parents and child together attend a First Eucharist Retreat on a Saturday afternoon in March to help them understand more fully that they are receiving the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. This retreat concludes with a special Mass and blessing.

Parents and child together attend a First Eucharist rehearsal the week of the celebration.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist is celebrated the First Saturday in May.

The following is our First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Preparation Schedule for the Year 2018-2019:

As we are one parish, the 2nd grade children from our school and religious education programs (and the children in the Bridges program) receive their sacraments together in our church.

For more information on the Sacrament of First Eucharist, please contact Kelly Martinez, the Coordinator of Religious Education, at 708-873-4633 or via email at kmartinez@saintmike.com.

First Reconciliation (First Confession) and First Eucharist for Children in Grades 3 to 7

Children in grades 3 through 7 who have not yet received the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, attend their Religious Education class or School Religion class, and a supplemental Bridges to Faith Class. The Bridges Class is held once a month on a Sunday morning from October through April. It prepares the 3rd through 7th grade child for First Reconciliation which will be celebrated in February and First Eucharist which will be celebrated in May.

Parents play a key role in preparing their child for the sacraments. The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the first and primary educators of their child in matters of faith. In the every-day life of the child’s family, he/she learns what is right and wrong, acquires attitudes of forgiveness, and experiences the Heavenly Father’s love and forgiveness as she/he witnesses the love and forgiveness of their parents and family. At home, the child also learns the importance not only of eating for nourishment, but eating for community building, celebration, and getting to know one another face to face in person, therefore, parent participation and involvement in sacrament preparation is essential for our children to understand these sacraments.

There is a team, led by Jesus, who works together with our children. It is comprised of their parents St. Michael School Teachers, Religious Education Catechists and Parish Staff.

Parents attend a “parents only” meeting in October.

Parents and child together attend a First Reconciliation Preparation Session in January.

The sacrament of First Reconciliation is celebrated in February.

Parents and child together attend a First Eucharist Retreat on a Saturday afternoon in March to help them understand more fully that they are receiving the Real Presence of Jesus in Communion. This retreat concludes with a special Mass and blessing.

Parents and child together attend a First Eucharist rehearsal the week of the celebration.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist is celebrated the First Saturday in May.

The following is our First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Preparation Schedule for the Year 2018-2019:

As we are one parish, children from the Bridges Class and the 2nd graders from our school and religious education programs receive their sacraments together in our church.

For more information on the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, please contact Kelly Martinez, the Coordinator of Religious Education, at 708-873-4633 or via email at kmartinez@saintmike.com.

Preparation is also available for those who primarily speak Spanish or who do not speak English. Please contact Patty Renteria in our Parish Office at 708-873-4619 or via email at prenteria@saintmike.com.

First Eucharist for 13-18 Year Olds

Young men and woman (ages 13-18) who have not received First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and/or Confirmation are invited to contact Pat Chuchla, Pastoral Associate and Director of Worship, at 708-873-4652 to discuss their situation, the preparation required, and time of reception.

First Eucharist for Adults

Adults (College age and older) who have not received their First Eucharist are invited to contact Sr. Marietta Umlor at 708-873-4634 to discuss their situation, the preparation required and time of reception.